5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sweet Pea Macaroni
This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sweet Pea Macaroni is a comforting, “set-it-and-forget-it” dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. By using the starch from the dry macaroni to thicken the melted butter and hot water, you create a silky, golden “emulsion” that coats each noodle without the need for a traditional flour-based roux. Adding the frozen sweet peas during the final stage of cooking ensures they stay vibrant and snap-tender, providing a fresh, grassy sweetness that perfectly balances the richness of the butter.
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5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sweet Pea Macaroni
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Elbow macaroni (dry) | 12 oz |
| Hot water | 3/1 cups |
| Butter (unsalted, chunks) | 1/1 cup |
| Frozen sweet peas | 2/1 cups |
| Salt (optional) | 1/1 teaspoon |
Step-by-Step Directions:
Step 1: The Pasta Foundation: Lightly grease your slow cooker crock. Pour in the dry elbow macaroni, then add the hot water and salt. Stir well to ensure every noodle is moistened.
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Step 2: The Butter Layer: Scatter the chunks of butter evenly over the top of the water and pasta.
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Tip: Do not stir the butter in yet! Letting it sit on top allows it to melt slowly and “baste” the pasta from the top down as the water begins to simmer, which helps prevent the macaroni from clumping together.
Step 3: The First Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 45 minutes. At the 45-minute mark, open the lid and give everything a vigorous stir. Scrape the bottom and sides to ensure no pasta is sticking or scorching.
Step 4: The Pea Infusion: Stir in the frozen sweet peas, tucking them down into the hot, buttery liquid.
Tip: If the pasta looks a bit dry at this stage, splash in an extra 1/4 cup of hot water. Slow cookers vary in heat, and you want enough liquid to finish tenderizing the noodles while keeping the sauce glossy.
Step 5: The Final Simmer: Cover again and cook on HIGH for another 20–30 minutes. Stir once halfway through. You are looking for tender macaroni and bright green, soft peas.
Step 6: The Rest: Turn the slow cooker to the WARM setting. Give the macaroni one final, gentle stir to incorporate the thickened starch and butter sauce. Taste and adjust the salt as needed before serving.
